Karachi Archbishop leads funding campaign for violence victims
(Dec. 27, 2012) In Pakistan, the Archdiocese of Karachi this Christmas distributed
relief funds to families whose principal breadwinners were killed during one of the
city’s most violent years. The modest relief efforts benefited five families, each
of which received about 50,000 rupees (US$525), and comprises part of a larger program
that aims to provide jobs and education for families of victims. Archbishop Joseph
Coutts of Karachi, who led the distribution of funds last week said “It is very depressing
that about 10 to 12 people die here on a daily basis due to terrorism and sectarian
violence. The Catholic Church will continue helping the victims’ families in getting
jobs and in school admissions,” he added. More than 1,700 people were reportedly
killed during the first nine months of the year, according to local media reports.